FE&S will honor the Dealer of the Year and Hall of Fame Award winners during its Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Dinner on May 21, 2011.

Foodservice Equipment & Supplies

Magazine proudly names R.W. Smith & Company its 2011 Dealer of the Year. In addition, FE&S' announced that Tom Schrack Sr. of Hockenbergs Equipment & Supply Co. as its 2011 Hall of Fame Award winner. FE&Swill present both awards during its annual Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Gala, which will take place on Sat., May 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago.

"As an employee owned company, R.W. Smith truly embraces the entrepreneurial spirit that makes the foodservice industry so special," said Maureen Slocum, FE&S publisher. "R.W. Smith's reputation for having a staff of well-trained foodservice professionals allows this dealership to establish itself as a market-leading company in the West and Southwest regions and has helped to raise the bar of overall professionalism for the entire foodservice industry. We are proud to recognize them with the highest honor in foodservice equipment and supplies distribution."

FE&S has previously recognized R.W. Smith with its Dealer of the Year Award in 1989 and as a Top Achiever in 2006.

As the president of Omaha, Neb.-based Hockenbergs, Schrack has continued to nurture the business by investing in the people and processes necessary to make the company successful. "Tom has cultivated a reputation for being among the most honest and fair foodservice professionals anywhere in the industry," Slocum said. "His word is his bond. Tom generously gives back to the industry and the communities he serves through numerous charitable endeavors. Like the previous eight foodservice professionals who have received this award, Tom's integrity has raised the bar for the entire industry."

FE&S is able to present its 2011 Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Gala thanks to the generous support of its three platinum sponsors: Manitowoc Foodservice, True and Unified Brands.

FE&S' Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards gala recognizes the foodservice community's brightest stars by presenting them with some of the industry's most time-honored awards. Held each year on the Saturday of the National Restaurant Association's trade show in Chicago, this event brings together the best of the best to celebrate the ongoing success of the foodservice industry. Other awards to be presented the evening of May 21 include: FE&S' Top Achievers, Facility Design Project of the Year and DSR of the Year.

Anyone interested in sponsorship information should contact Maureen Slocum at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (630) 715-1553.